Family Tails

A Story of a Mixed Family in the Genetic Age

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Names of actual businesses, their products, etc, are the property of their respective owners.

Story and characters © 2013 Ronald J. Lebeck

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Chapter 29

"Are you getting this, Rob?" Lupina asked.

"Yep, it's recording, Lu," he replied.

"Okay baby doll, come to daddy! Come on...that's it, Sierra, one step at a time. Come on, baby doll, you can do it!"

Everyone held their breath as Sierra started to take her first step. Her twin brother, Cormac, watched intently, as did their half-sisters, Chrys Ann and Violet.

Sierra stood there, wobbling a little, having just let go of her mother's hands. She thought about it as her dad coaxed her to come to him. She was determined to try, though, and it was readily apparent in her expression. It might have been easier in some ways if she was on the hardwood floor, though between the fluffy winter fur covering her body and the thick sheepskin rug, little Sierra would hardly feel a fall. Hesitantly, she took her first step...to her (and everyone else's) delight, she stayed upright! Encouraged at her success, Sierra moved her other foot...she wobbled a bit when her foot went into the rug, but she was still standing. One more step, and she would be in daddy's arms. Crawling was easier--she had mastered that quick enough--trying to get her little legs to move like the grown-ups was hard! She hadn't yet figured out that her tail was actually good for something other than being a chew toy for her brother. Slowly, Sierra lifted her foot...and the room started to move, or so she thought--Sierra actually started to lose her balance, but instinct prevailed, and caused her tail to move in the proper direction to act as a counterbalance. As soon as she put her foot down, Sierra leaned forward into daddy's waiting hands, to the cheers of all the adults in the room--mom, dad, Aunt Rosie, "uncle" Rob, and "aunt" Helga.

In short order Cormac, Chrysie, and Vi had all learned to walk--and then the fun really began. True to their curious nature, Chrys Ann and Violet were into everything. If they weren't poking their noses into a drawer or cabinet just to see what was in there, they were following Rosie around everywhere, hot on her tail. Ron had found a rather devious way to keep the two skunkettes out of the lower cabinets and closets--he ordered cans of compressed gas from a pet supply company that are equipped with battery operated motion detectors. Any movement within range causes a warning tone to go off, which is followed bya visible burst of the gas (like when a can of dusting "air" is turned upside down and sprayed). These are used for training house cats to stay off kitchen counters and out of other areas...and they just happen to work great with skunks, too. Rosie thought they were really annoying, though after a while, Ron adjusted the switch on each can to "warning only" mode. Another way he had to keep the girls from doing something they shouldn't was to use a small spray bottle set to squirt a stream of water when the trigger was squeezed. One or two squirts were usually all it took. Ron got rather proficient at mimicking the warning alarm on the cans of compressed gas, much to everyone's annoyance...except for Sierra, who thought it was funny. Of the four little ones, Sierra had inherited her father's warped sense of humor.

The other two, Sierra and Cormac, are a different story. Sierra is the more outgoing of the maternal twins, while Cormac tends to be quieter and more reserved. If Sierra and Cormac weren't involved in a game of tug, or wrestling, they were watching mom or dad or Aunt Rosie doing something, or playing with Chrysie and Vi. Sierra and Cormac would get into things, too, but what worked to deter their half-sisters, didn't work on them, so different tactics had to be employed. The usual human childproofing items worked for a while, until Sierra figured them out, and proceeded to teach the other kids how to defeat them. Ron decided to put key locks in the cabinets, and while cumbersome, it worked...until Vi got the keys with the help of her siblings, and then hid them. They were later discovered in the ash barrel in the basement when it was time to empty it for soap making. Putting his skill with electronics to use, Ron created a system of solenoid door locks controlled by a button panel placed out of the reach of the kids by the kitchen sink. By pressing the proper momentary contact button, the latch retracted, and a small spring opened the door a bit--just far enough so that when the button was no longer being pushed, the door wouldn't re-latch. A gentle push on the door was all it took to close it. The whole thing was designed so that when the kids were old enough, it could be disabled, and the doors opened and closed normally...until it was time for more small children in the house.

The holidays came and went, along with Ron and Lupina's one-year anniversary, all duly celebrated. Rob and Helga decided on having their wedding in June, and wanted Rosie to help with the planning. The arrival of spring saw more G.E.L.F.s arriving in the state of Alaska, among them were Griswold the bear; Karl, the German shepherd; Mina, the Icelandic pony mare; Holly, one of Rosie's skunk friends; Willie; and Maxine Ratt, another friend of both Lupina and Rosie. Dave and Lizzie, and Jeff and Tacey, made plans on moving there as well so that they could get married and start families of their own. Late in the spring, Edgar Corvus, the first true G.E.L.F., arrived in Fairbanks and caused quite a stir, especially among the Native Americans. Edgar of course knew the various myths and legends surrounding ravens, as well as the irony of his first name being the same as the famous poet, Edgar Allen Poe.

The kids were growing fast and beginning to speak their first words. It didn't take long to make the transition from first steps to running--learning to stop took a little doing, however. And then there was bath time--it was a major production trying to get four active, furry children cleaned, dried, and brushed. Brushing teeth was another--unlike human children, Sierra, Cormac, Chrys Ann, and Violet had to be convinced that toothbrushes were not chew toys...and neither were their parent's fingers. While human children may put various things into their mouths, they don't have the strong jaw muscles and sharp teeth that many G.E.L.F. children have. When it came to food, they weren't too fussy--Sierra and Cormac tended to eat more meat than veggies, while Chrys Ann and Violet tended to eat more veggies than meat, so it was an even tradeoff. Taking the kids grocery shopping could be humorous at times. Stores typically put brightly colored bags and boxes of cereals and snack foods loaded with sweeteners, artificial colors and flavors, and preservatives right at eye level for youngsters. Human parents were amazed when the Daugherty kids passed by those totally disinterested, but were excited going down the dairy, meat, and produce isles. With their sensitive noses, they soon became expert--much to the annoyance of store employees--at determining what was fresh and what wasn't. Their choices of toys were a bit different, too. Stuffed toy animals were often the subject of "hunts", and dog chew toys were a favorite. The girls didn't seem overly interested in the usual selection of dolls, probably because there were no G.E.L.F. dolls available yet. As Chrysie said once, "Got no tail!"

Prior to moving to Alaska, Willie played several concerts, with a portion of the proceeds going to worthy charities--ones that put the majority of the money to actually helping people who needed it, instead of for "administrative costs", as certain big name organizations are known to do. After once concert, Willie was approached by a small recording studio, who offered to help him record an album. One of the well-known musicians, who had attended Willie's first concert in Fairbanks, suggested a good manager--and a lawyer to handle the recording contract. Early sales did well enough to bring more attention to his music, and he was offered guest appearances on television shows, which he accepted. While taking a break, Miki talked Willie into going to Chena Hot Springs for a relaxing soak in the waters and a meal. Willie remembered Lupina telling him about what a great time they had back in January while at Chena, so he readily accepted. When Miki was through with her classes for the day, they met and took the shuttle bus to the hot springs. It was a nice late April Friday evening, and they talked about more mundane things on the way out--school, what it was like to be on TV, how her family was doing, music, and so forth. Upon their arrival, Willie and Miki, and the others headed off to their respective destinations--most went to the hot spring, others went on tours or to the restaurant.

While at school, Miki often wore clothing similar to the rest of the students, though away from school, she tended to wear style that is more traditional. This evening, she wore a thick woven pullover that is white in color and has traditional Inupiat designs in dark brown, snug fitting jeans, and tall, knee-high fur boots that complimented her pullover. Miki wore her below-the-waist length dark hair down, and as usual, did not wear makeup. Miki often received compliments on her looks--smooth, somewhat dusky complexion, high cheekbones, thick, straight, shiny hair, and her gentle eyes. She always had a quick, easy smile on her face and a willowy grace in her movements. Several of her student friends suggested that she might try modeling, though Miki would always laugh and say that she was too short, but she knew the direction in which her future lie, for she had inherited her grandfather's gift and would one day take his place as her tribe's angakkuq, or shaman.

Next to the rock-lined pool of the hot spring, there is a small building with showers and changing rooms. Guests are required to shower first before entering the water. It took Willie a little longer to shower because of his fur. When he finished, he slipped on his swim trunks and the thick cotton robe provided. The air outside felt chilly, and he smelled an unusual pungent scent lingering over the water--sulfur, one of the attendants said it was.

"About time you came out here," Miki teased.

"It takes a while to rinse soap out of fur," Willie said with a hint of mischief.

"I'm sure it does, but hey, at least yours isn't as thick as Lupina's."

"You've got a point there," Willie agreed.

When Miki slipped off her robe, it was the most Willie had seen of her--or of any other human woman, for she wore a white bikini swimsuit. Without thinking, he gave a low whistle as he admired Miki's slender--though shapely--form.

"Willie!" Miki exclaimed quietly with a little embarrassment as she quickly looked about.

"Sorry, Miki, it's just...you're so...gorgeous!"

Miki blushed, not only because of his compliments, but also because she was getting appreciative looks from others as well.

"Can we get into the water...?"

"Sure, ladies first," Willie replied with a little flourish.

Miki eased herself into the warm water--it felt good after standing in the chilly air clad only in a skimpy bikini. Willie followed her into the water, gingerly sticking his toes in first to see just how warm it is. It surprised him in that it was no warmer than a good, warm bath. They found a place to sit, and let the warm mineral water relax their muscles. Willie looked around, noticing the other humans and casually observing them, as well as the surrounding area. In the deepening twilight, the stars became visible, as did the aurora. With Miki sitting next to him holding his hand under the water, Willie looked from Miki's eyes up to the ephemeral beauty of the aurora, its shifting ribbons of soft green light dancing with slow majesty amid the backdrop of stars. While Miki told Willie an Inuit myth about the aurora, inspiration came to him--in his mind a new musical piece was taking form. When Miki saw the look on his face, she asked what was wrong.

"I hear it," he replied quietly.

"Hear what?"

"The music, it's...it's...beautiful...," Willie whispered.

Miki looked confused for only a moment, and then she began to realize what Willie was talking about.

"You...you are being touched by the spirit world," Miki whispered in awe.

"I...I guess. I need to get this down...be right back."

Willie climbed up out of the water, shook himself off, and walked briskly into the shower house to get his pad of blank music paper and pencil that he always carried with him. He returned shortly, and sitting closely beside Miki, he began to write fervently in musical notation, and making notes in the margins. Miki watched in fascination as Willie wrote the basic melody of the music he heard in his mind. The little L.E.D. clip-on light he kept with his pad of music paper, provided the illumination he needed to write by. Every so often, Willie would stop for a few moments to either look up at the sky, or to look at Miki, and then would quickly write some more. Willie would add to it later, to include other instruments, and with Miki's help, incorporate traditional Inupiat singing. When it was finished and recorded, "Polar Spirits--Dancing in Light" became a hit.

The day of Rob and Helga's wedding was fast approaching, and the excitement was high. It had been decided to hold the wedding in the glade, where Ron and Lupina were married. Cormac would have the job of ring bearer, and Chrys Ann would be the flower girl (years later during a "home movie night", Sierra, with her sharp wit, called her brother "the Lord of the Rings" and Chrysie a "'60's flower child"). Nadia, one of Helga's friends who were among the G.E.L.F.s that graduated from the university with her, was given the role of maid of honor. Nadia is a marten G.E.L.F. that received her degree in Physical Therapy. When she came for the rehearsal, the only person who didn't have to look at her was Ron, for Nadia is quite tall--one hundred eighty-three centimeters--and her slender, though statuesque form accentuated her natural grace. Rosie immediately felt a bit of jealously when she met Nadia, and stayed close to Ron.

"At least I'm curvier than she is," Rosie thought to herself, comparing her own form in proportion to Nadia's. Ron noticed how Rosie looked at Nadia whenever she came near, so when he got a chance, he got Rosie off to one side to ask her what the problem was.

"Hey Rozer, why the hard looks around Helga's friend?"

Rosie looked up quickly and met Ron's eyes and then just as quickly looked down at the ground, drooping her ears, tail, and slumping her shoulders. Rosie shuffled her feet a little and muttered something.

Gently lifting her chin, Ron quietly asked, "You aren't jealous, are you?"

While he was still holding her Rosie's chin, she looked off towards Nadia's direction just with her eyes. Seeing the twitch in Rosie's tail and the expression in her eyes, told him the answer.

"Rozer, you've got nothing to be jealous of," Ron said, putting his arms around her and pulling her close to him. "I've got all I need and want with you and Lu."

"But...she's so...tall."

"And you are still my seriously hot babe," Ron said with a grin.

"Really? Even after...?" Rosie trailed off.

"Especially after," Ron said, implying that he still found Rosie quite attractive, if not more so, after having their kits.

"Yeah?"

"Want me to show you later...?" he asked with a sly grin.

"Ooo...promise?"

"Of course."

"Ron?"

"Yes, luv?"

"Do you still love me as much as when you gave me this?" Rosie asked, holding up her left hand and showing the ring he had given her.

Ron smiled and said, "Absolutely."

She reached up to put her arms around his neck, and they nuzzled and kissed. Ron gave Rosie a lick behind her ear and then smacked his lips.

"Still tastes like chicken," he smirked.

Rosie's eyes opened wide at the comment, remembering the time he had teased her the morning after he and Lupina had brought her home.

"Ron!" Rosie exclaimed in a whisper, "I'm gonna pounce on you!"

"I'm looking forward to it," he said quietly.

"Ooo...you!"

After that, Rosie no longer felt any jealously towards Nadia.

Dr. Nemeth arrived two days before the wedding, as did other guests. With plenty of advanced notice so that they could make the arrangements, Rob was pleasantly surprised to learn that all of the original members of the Sea Wolf units had come to see their former commanding officer be wed. Later that evening, Dr. Nemeth quietly filled Ron and Rob in on what happened at The Center after the incident with Dr. Sumter and his unauthorized creations.

"The video footage from our cameras clearly showed him being struck by the lightning bolt, as well as the tornado, so it was considered "death by natural causes" at the coroner's inquest. There never was anything else found of him aside from his shoe--it's as if he was literally wiped off the face of the Earth. We dismantled his lab and sent his personal effects to his relatives. The corporate people involved with him have all been dismissed, and one of the board members resigned. We've gotten back to normal, though with a few changes," Darcy explained.

"That's interesting," Rob said.

"What kind of changes?" Ron asked.

"Well for starters, we formed a new oversight committee--actually, the G.E.L.F.s themselves insisted on being the majority of the members, and corporate unanimously approved. We're trying to make sure something like what Sumter created doesn't happen again, and giving the G.E.L.F.s more say in things. There have already been suggestions of starting a website, having a TV special, and letting school kids visit for field trips--all made by the G.E.L.F.s," Darcy replied.

"Sounds like they're on their way to determining their own destiny," Ron said thoughtfully.

"I suppose you, Lupina, and Rosie have opened the door," Darcy said.

"Well, if we did, then Edgar's speech prodded them to step through it."

"Just out of curiosity, who's idea was it to make the first G.E.L.F. a raven?" Rob asked.

"Er...*cough*...actually...it was mine," Darcy replied.

"Yours?" Ron and Rob asked incredulously in unison.

Blushing, Darcy said, "I'm afraid so. In high school, I just loved reading Edgar Allen Poe, and since my great grandmother on my mother's side was part Native American..."

"...You became interested in ravens," Ron interjected.

"Yes."

"I'm sure the philosophers and thinkers are going to have fun with that at some point," Ron snickered.

The night before the wedding ended up becoming a rather boisterous party--an odd mix of military reunion, bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette party, and mixer. Outside there were campers of various types--both personally owned and rentals--and tents. Yard torches, filled with paraffin oil fortified with essential oils of citronella and lemongrass, helped keep the mosquitoes at bay. At one point, all of the twenty-four original Sea Wolf men got together for a group photo--Lupina, who took the photo, was amazed by them all. Before her stood, knelt, and sat, twenty-four of the nicest, caring, considerate, intelligent, do anything for you men she had ever met. By looking at them and being around them, one would be hard pressed to know that these men were the most terrifyingly efficient warriors the world had ever known. Twenty-four humans who had been genetically altered with the best abilities of some of the most efficient predators of North America--wolf, coyote, fox, cougar, bear, bobcat, hawk, owl, and wolverine.

The morning's preparations for the wedding went surprisingly smooth for the number of people who had stayed the night. Showers started early, and the smell of food cooking came from both houses, and from the campers. J.D. stayed off in the forest somewhere--too many humans for his liking, though Atka and his pack stayed close, though just out of sight. They had been told ahead of time that there was going to be a lot of people coming, and why, so they would be prepared for it. While Ron was out early getting more firewood, Kapik came to see him.

"Woo!"

"Good morning, Kapik, how's my sweetie today?" Ron asked, kneeling down and holding his hands out to her.

Kapik shyly approached, wagging her tail enthusiastically.

"Kapik happy, want to see man-brother Ron."

Kapik let Ron put his arms around her neck and hug her, and they nuzzled each other.

"You can see me anytime, Kapik, you know that," Ron said quietly.

"Kapik knows. Kapik like-like man-brother Ron."

"I know you do, sweetie. I love you, too."

Kapik wagged her tail and then leaned into Ron, pushing her face into his neck under the chin. After a few moments, Kapik looked up and gave him a soft, gentle lick on the mouth."

"What was that for?" Ron asked with a surprised grin.

"Kapik curious, do mouth thing."

"You've been watching me kiss Lupina and Rosie, haven't you?"

"Yes. Do with Kapik?"

"Um, Kapik, that's...well, Lupina and Rosie..."

"Kapik know, Kapik tell mates why. Do mouth thing with Kapik?"

Ron sat completely down on the ground, wondering why Kapik wanted him to kiss her like he kissed his mates, for the mental image she sent him made it quite clear what she wanted, just not why.

Ron thought to himself, "Kapik wants me to kiss her like I do Lu and Rosie. I know she feels some kind of love for me, though I've always thought it was like a friend or even as a brother of sorts. I never thought it might different than that. Now what? Hmm, I wonder if those enhancements The Center gave me has anything to do with this. Geez, kissing a wolf--a real, four-footed wolf--is that much different than kissing a wolf G.E.L.F.? Then again, Kapik isn't quite a true wolf, is she? Her parents were tinkered with just as I've been...does that sort of make us the same in a way?"

"Ron?" Rosie called out from the door, "I'm gonna need some wood soon, for the stove."

"Okay, be right in, Rozer," he called back.

Seeing the expectant look on Kapik's face, he thought to himself, "Oh, what the heck," and to Kapik he said, "Okay...just this once..."

After breakfast was over, and the dishes cleaned, Ron and his mates headed back to their bedroom to get cleaned up.

*sniff* "Have you been with Kapik lately, baby?" Lupina asked as they got into the shower.

"Yeah, she came over to say 'hi' while I was getting the firewood," Ron said, turning the water on.

Rosie put her arms around Ron's waist from behind and snuggled close as the water soaked the three of them down.

"I think Kapik Likes you," Lupina said coyly, handling the shampoo bar over her should to Ron. "Soap me up?"

He took the bar from her and began lathering up her fur.

"Yeah, as in really likes ya," Rosie said with a snicker.

"I suppose she said something to that effect?" Ron asked, not sure what to think of the situation.

"Well, Sesi and I were having a long talk the other day, and she told me that Kapik thinks she knows how to give us 'tall furry people' their ability to communicate," Lupina replied.

"I'm not sure I want to know," Ron said. "Soap, Rozer?"

"Yeah," Rosie replied and turned her back to him so that he could lather up her back.

"Ya gotta admit, it's an interesting idea--can you imagine people who could talk like that, in their heads?" Rosie asked.

"I can imagine a lot of things...," Ron said, not being sure if it would necessarily be a good thing.

"He doesn't seem too thrilled about this for some reason. Personally, I think it's a great idea...if what Sesi and her pack can do could be passed on to us G.E.L.F.s--and maybe to humans, too--what's so bad about that?" Lupina thought to herself as she rinsed the suds out of her fur.

Ron did say much more during the rest of the shower, and both of his mates noticed that he was being unusually quiet.

"You seem awfully quiet, baby...what's wrong?" Lupina asked with concern.

"Yeah, big guy, talk to us...somethin's buggin' ya," Rosie added.

Ron gave a quiet snort and had a wry grin on his face as he shook his head a little.

"You two are getting to know me too well."

"Ya, well, we're supposed to, so c'mon, dish...what's got ya so quiet?" Rosie asked.

"This whole thing about Kapik. She wanted me to--as she put it--'do the mouth thing' with her, said that she was curious," Ron said quietly.

"You mean she asked you to kiss her?" Lupina asked, cocking her head a little to one side.

"Yeah, she made it plenty clear--even showed me a mental image of me kissing each of you. She's apparently been watching us."

"So, did ya?" Rosie asked, getting a little grin on her face.

*sigh* "Yeah, but I told her just this once, though."

"Oh, come on, it's not like you haven't kissed a wolf before," Lupina teased gently, giving Ron a quick kiss.

"Or a skunk," Rosie added, taking a turn at kissing him.

"Yeah, but that's different--you two are my mates and the mothers of my children, plus you're G.E.L.F.s and Kapik isn't," Ron countered.

"She kinda sorta is...a little," Rosie said. When both Ron and Lupina looked at her, Rosie quickly added, "I mean a G.E.L.F., like us. Atka and Sesi would have been normal wolves if somebody hadn't tweaked their genes or whatever...right? And weren't they in the early part of the G.E.L.F. program? So it'd be like kissing Lu or me," Rosie reasoned in her own peculiar way.

"Maybe, but Kapik still isn't either one of you two," Ron said.

"So? What's that got to do with raisin prices in Kansas?" Rosie asked.

"Let me put it to you this way, Rozer...how would you feel if I started smooching on Nadia?"

"Nadia! Why I'd...I'd...," Rosie started to say, bristling her t ail.

"Are you starting to see my point?" Ron asked.

"Oh...yeah, I s'pose," Rosie replied sheepishly, lowering her ears and tail.

"So you feel it was kind of like...oh, what's that human expression...?" Lupina said quietly, trying to think of the word.

"Cheating. Aye, luv, like that," Ron agreed.

"But Kapik was just being curious, I don't see anything wrong with that," Lupina said.

"Yeah, it's not like she was puttin' the moves on our guy," Rosie added, giving Ron a nudge.

"I hope not, that would open up a whole new can of worms," Ron said, rolling his eyes.

"What do you mean by that?" Lupina asked, wrinkling her nose at the thought of a can full of earthworms.

"It's another human expression, 'once you open a can of worms, the only way to re-can then is to use a bigger can.' Basically, it means that once you do something that causes trouble, the troubles promptly multiply, and it ends up causing more work to deal with them." Ron explained.

"Oh."

"Well, we can talk about this later. We need to hurry up and finish getting ready so Helga can get ready herself," Ron insisted.

Helga had come over to Ron's house to get ready for her wedding. Lupina showed her how to use the shower in the master bathroom, which impressed Helga.

"We should have one of these installed in our bathroom," Helga thought aloud.

"I'm sure Ron could build one for you two. We've been thinking of converting the other bathroom for the kids when they're older," Lupina said.

"Are ye nervous, Rob?" Ron asked with a little smirk while he helped him into the jacket for his dress tartan.

"Just anxious to get this over with," Rob replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Sure now, ye be tyin' the knot with a cat, the most independent creature o' the Earth, and so it is."

"No different than you marrying a wolf," Rob said, attaching his sporran.

"Ah, but wolves work together, cats do as they please--an' ye have a bit o' cat in ye, too, me friend, an' we all know how ye did yer own thing, much to the annoyance of the higher ups," Ron said as he put the fly tartan on Rob's shoulder. "There now, ye look like a proper gent from the Highlands, ready to win the heart o' his sweet colleen."

"That's 'bonny lass', Ron," Rob chuckled.

"Depends on who's talkin'. Now then, give me a wee bit o' time to get the rest of me things from the house, an' I'll meet ye in the glen," Ron said, and then headed out the door.

"He's got something up his sleeve, I know it...but what, I wonder."

When it was time to go, Rob stepped out of his house and walked alone along the path to the glen. All of the guests had already taken their places ahead of him. As soon as Rob rounded a curve in the path just before arriving at the glen, he saw his twenty-three men standing at parade rest in their dress uniforms on both sides of the path. As soon as he was twelve paces from the first two men, everyone heard the sharp command, "at-ten-SHUN", followed by twenty-three pairs of heels clicking together in perfect unison. When Rob was six paces from the men, the command, "Sea Wolves, hand-SALUTE" was barked out, and they all snapped a crisp salute. Rob returned their salute, holding it until he reached the last one. At the command, "TWO", all twenty-three men snapped their right arms back to their sides. The look of pride was clearly evident in Rob's eyes as he returned their salute, as well as in the eyes of the men who had served under him--it was an honor bestowed that few in attendance would truly understand.

Ron stepped out and fell into place beside Rob as his "best man" for the wedding, and accompanied him to the rock. The rest of the men crisply performed a right or left face, depending on which side of the path they were on, and took a place next to the others. When they took their position next to the rock, Rob didn't say anything--he didn't have to, for Ron knew the "I owe you one" look in his friend's eyes. They didn't stand there long before hearing Iluq's short howl, which was her signal to let everyone know that Helga was on her way. Rosie, who was at the back of the isle through the guests, prompted little Cormac to "Walk to daddy", hoping that he'd make it okay. There were several "awws" as he made his way through the crowd of people, most of whom he didn't know, carrying the two wedding rings on a little pillow. The way he was dressed looked rather hobbit-like, with a child's Jacobite shirt, knee breeches, and waistcoat. Lupina was in the front row next to the isle, watching her son the whole way. When he got to her, she whispered, "Go to daddy", and he kept going, eyes fixed on his father. Ron knelt down, and after taking the rings from him, picked Cormac up and nuzzled him.

"You did great, buddy!" Ron quietly said. "Okay, now go sit with momma and Sierra," he added, handing Cormac over to Lupina.

One of the Sea Wolf veterans who used to be a Boatswain's Mate, kept an eye on the path--when Helga and her maid of honor, Nadia, arrived, he piped the "all hands" call on his Bosun's pipe, to get everyone's attention. When the guests stood, Rosie sent Chrys Ann ahead of Helga, tossing petals of whild flowers that she carried in a wicker basket. Chrysie wore a white, lacey dress and a white sun hat with cutouts for her ears and tail. Helga herself wore a white short-sleeved wedding gown, opting for a white, beaded snood[1] instead of a veil--she adamantly refused to wear a veil because she wanted to see what she was doing, and because it messed with her sensory hairs. When Ron came up with the idea of wearing a snood, she said firmly, "That I can deal with."

Willie began playing as soon as Helga entered the glade, finishing when she took her place beside Rob.

The minister officiating over the ceremony said, "Today we gather at this place of peace, to join two people in love and in marriage, Robert Cloud and Helga Katt. If there are any present among you who in good faith opposes this union, let him or her speak now of forever hold their peace."

The forest surrounding the glade fell silent waiting to see if any would speak. No voice sounded--not human, G.E.L.F., or any other living thing, great or small. After several seconds, the minister continued.

"Robert and Helga, you may now recite your vows."

(Helga's Vow to Rob)

"I am cat--it is my nature to be independent, free, and be the mistress of my own life.

On this day, in this place, before those we see and those who may be among us in spirit, I choose of my own free will to accept only you, Robert Cloud, with paws open and claws retracted, as my mate and as my husband, for as long as we choose to remain together.

I shall give to you that which is mine to give, without hesitation or reservations,

I shall share my meat and drink with you,

I shall do my fair share in the keeping of our household,

I shall stand beside you through the lean times, and the times of plenty, adding my catch to yours,

And if we should be blessed with little ones, I shall be a good mother to them.

Let this ring be a symbol of my love, which I offer to you freely...do you accept?"

Rob replied, "I do."

(Rob's Vow to Helga)

"On this day, surrounded by those I love and respect, and in the woods of my Creator, I offer myself to you, Helga Katt, of my own free will.

Through fair skies and storm, through the seasons of our lives, for better or worse, in sickness and health, I shall stand firmly by your side.

Without reservations of doubts, I give to you my trust, my friendship, and my love. I place my heart and my life into your care, for I do not question either your love or your loyalty. Before the Eyes of my Creator and all those gathered today in this glade, I ask you to be my mate and my wife, and if the Creator allows, to be the mother of our children.

Let this ring be a symbol of the circle of life we now become part of, which I offer to you alone, freely and without hesitation. Will you accept it, and join with me?"

Helga replied, "I do."

When they were finished reciting their vows, the minister said, "By the power vested in me by the State of Alaska, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

As Rob and Helga kissed, Ron gave a quick hand signal to the other twenty-two former Sea Wolves, and in unison he and they all yelled, "Hoo-ya!" in deep voices. Willie began to play when Rob and Helga turned to face the assembled guests, who then stood and applauded. As soon as the photographer finished taking a photo, Ron slipped away quietly and quickly to join the rest of the former Sea Wolves. They got into position at the path on either side of it, and waited for Rob and Helga to make their way through the guests. As the approached, the command "a-ten-SHUN" was given, bringing the twenty-three men to attention. At the command, "pre-sent-ARMS", the former officers and enlisteds drew their ceremonial sabers and cutlasses, and brought them into position, right hand at side with weapon pointing up and held against the shoulder. The former Boatswain's Mate sounded "Piping the side"--as soon as he finished, the command, "cross-SWORDS" was given, and the men raised their weapons and crossed the blades, forming an archway over the path. Even though the men preferred to refer to Rob as "L.C.", for Lieutenant Commander[2], Rob's actual final rank at the time of his retirement was that of Captain. Just as Rob and Helga reached the men, a bell was struck six times--ding-ding, ding-ding, ding-ding--and the words "Captain and Missus Robert Cloud, departing", called out.

Helga heard a sniffle as they walked along the path towards home, and she turned her head to see Rob wipe his eye.

"Are you alright, dear?"

"Yeah...I'm okay, it's all okay now," he replied with a happy sigh, and gave his wife a kiss and a hug.

They continued on towards home, arm in arm, ready to start their new life together.

---

[1] http://www.snoods.com/snood.html

[2] The reason why the men refer to Rob as "L.C.", or Lieutenant Commander, is that when he was at that rank he was still allowed to go out on missions. Once he earned the rank of Commander, he became the "XO", or Executive Officer, and the second in command over all four of the Sea Wolf units.